Prof. Pleas No Contest in Sex Charge

Published 7:00 pm, Friday, January 4, 2002

A former Yale University geology professor has pleaded no contest to charges that he sexually assaulted a boy during a period covering about half of the boy's 13 years.

Antonio Lasaga, 52, who had served as the boy's mentor in a New Haven school program for children with family problems, entered the plea Friday as his state trial was to begin.

Lasaga was arrested in 1998 when federal investigators, acting on a tip, searched his apartment and found thousands of child pornography photos and videotapes.

The university fired Lasaga last year.

Assistant State's Attorney David J. Strollo described often graphic evidence of Lasaga's sexual activities that began when the boy was about 6.

The state charges covered by the no-contest plea carry a combined maximum penalty of 110 years in prison and include two counts of sexual assault and two counts of employing a minor in an obscene performance.

In a plea bargain in federal court, Lasaga admitted possessing child pornography and agreed to a sentence of about 20 years.

Sentencing in federal court is set for Jan. 28 and in state court is scheduled Feb. 1.